Kiteboards
Choose from strapped or strapless kiteboard designs
Strapped Kiteboards
PVC CARBON COMPOSITE
Stretch's custom kiteboards are made from the same construction as the tow-in boards made for surfing huge Teahupoo. This is the construction used for the Stretch Trow and Yes Models.
These boards are custom, individually hand shaped PVC sheet foam (divinycell), vacuum pressed with Stretch’s magic rocker, carbon fiber and a few other secret little “extras”. They are MUCH thinner (3/4” to 1 ¼” thick) than normal surfboards or kitesurfboards.
This provides for better edging against the kite and also allows the rider to be closer to the water for more control at high speeds– much like what has been proven by Stretch’s tow-in surfboards.
The “design circle” has come full circle with these two boards as it was the original Trow Directionals that spurred Stretch’s world dominance in tow-in boards, and now the wide point forward shapes of his tow-in boards have influenced the new YES model.
These boards are the most durable for jumping as they are built with solid divinycell cores and beefier fiberglass schedules. These are also the best suited for powered up riding (#1) as the thinner profile will control the power of the kite the best and also feel the most comfortable at insane speeds.
Strapless Kiteboards
CUSTOM EPS TECH
LESS POWERED / CROSSOVER
Stretch's custom EPS TECH is the top-of-the-line, high-performance board for crossover kitesurfing.
WHY SHOULD I GET A CUSTOM EPS TECH?
All surfboards will break if you jump them and land flat. It doesn’t matter how strong you build them, this will always happen and for a good reason. If they didn’t, your knees and legs would break instead! Be honest and ask yourself how you’ll be riding the board, your record of how you treat your equipment and then choose the right construction
EPS TECH
If you are an advanced or pro level surfer and are looking for a surfboard you can kite on, this would be the best choice! This construction offers a very high strength to weight ratio, ultimate flex characteristics and is the choice for all of Stretch's surf team.
EPS TECH is Stretch’s high end custom construction for performance surfboards (for surfing). This construction offers a very high strength to weight ratio, ultimate flex characteristics and is the go to choice for all of Stretch’s surf team for all of their own surfboards. If you are an advanced or pro level surfer and are looking for a surfboard you can kite on, this would be the best choice, closely followed by TL2 for its added durability. The EPS Tech will heel dent from the added pressure of kitesurfing where the TL2 will take more time to heel dent. Either of these constructions can be normal paddle surfed. The EPS Tech boards will float/paddle a little better and feel better on the wave. The TL2 will be more durable over time.
The ability to order custom is where EPS TECH has it’s major advantages. Wish that Tuflite was a tad bit thinner? Hoping to find that TL2 a little bit wider? Didn’t quite feel the color on that 6’5”? Want Tuflite Durability with a TL2 feel in a custom design? Stretch Boards can make any board with a beefier construction and foam weight (2.5 pcf with a ¼” t-band and double the cloth). You can add inserts, change the dimensions and end up with a truly custom board that will keep on par with any production board and outlast any polyurethane/polyester board out there. Just make sure to specify.
CUSTOM EPS TECH KITEBOARDS
- (4) 3-hole foot strap inserts for variable stance positioning
- Double 6 oz. deck & bottom
- 1/4" paraband bass wood stringer
- 2.5 pcf density EPS compression molded blank from Marko foam
FULL-POWERED
Fully powered using a smaller board and a larger kite.
RIDING STYLE
Team rider Peter Trow comes from a windsurfing background and uses the pull of the kite to generate speed and power.
FULL-TO-LESS-POWERED
Less power, using the kite to get you on the wave, then using the surfboard shape and volume to surf the wave.
LESS-POWERED/CROSSOVER
Less powered, but making sure the size/shape of the board allows you to normal paddle surf it when the wind drops out completely. Especially useful when traveling or spending a lot of time on the coast and only having space for one board.
WHICH BOARD TO CHOOSE?
For pro surfers like Josh, surfing a 6'0"x18.5" is easy, but if your surfing skills are not up to par, then you may need a fuller template with more thickness to be able to paddle into the wave.